Chapter 92
──Thor's Perspective──
Two days after visiting Princess Sofia.
I decided to begin developing the 'robot vacuum' in my workshop.
"Thank you for the ideas, Mabel and Agnis. They were a great help."
"No thanks are necessary. I am Thor-sama's assistant, after all."
"Agnis also enjoyed spending the night with Princess Sofia."
Mabel and Agnis smiled.
Beside them, Erte-san, a civil official, watched us with a nervous expression.
This was my workshop in Raizen territory.
There was a large table in the room, with several sheets of parchment spread across it.
They were idea sketches drawn by Mabel and me, as well as Agnis and Princess Sofia.
I had not looked at their contents yet.
We had decided to present them one by one in the presence of Erte-san, the civil official.
But──
"The letters from His Majesty and the Chancellor still haven't arrived..."
I had asked them through the Pixies, and they had agreed to help.
Perhaps they had been unable to do so because they had official duties to attend to.
"Erte-san, have you heard anything?"
"Unfortunately, no."
Erte-san shook their head with a troubled expression.
"But if they were having difficulty coming up with an answer, Uncle should have contacted us."
"That's true."
"Yes."
Incidentally, Erte-san was going to witness the testing of the 'robot vacuum.'
I had planned to have them check all three groups' ideas, but──
"I believe we will hear from them later. Why don't you all begin reviewing the ideas first?"
Erte-san suggested this after thinking for a moment.
"Understood. Then let's begin."
"I was looking forward to this, too."
"Agnis will help as well."
Erte-san and I, along with Mabel and Agnis, gathered around the table.
Together, we turned over the sheets of parchment one by one.
Various drawings and words appeared.
Some had been written by me, and others by Mabel.
The small, rounded letters were probably Agnis's. The neat handwriting likely belonged to Princess Sofia.
A person's character really does show in their writing and drawings.
But putting that aside──
"Shall we start with the one Agnis and Princess Sofia came up with?"
"Y-yes. I will explain it."
Agnis gathered up their idea notes and spread them out.
Then they looked at us with an embarrassed expression and said,
"Agnis and Princess Sofia came up with a 'spider type.'"
With that, Agnis began reading aloud from the parchment.
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'Robot Vacuum: Spider Type'
Written by: Sofia Dolgaria
I conceived this idea after the 'Demon Beast Galgarossa' appeared in a mountainous region.
I have added eight legs to the disk-shaped 'robot vacuum' found in the Hero's world.
The legs can move freely, allowing it to climb over obstacles.
It should be able to move freely through grass, sand, and rocky terrain. In addition, the height of the main body can be changed, so I believe it will not miss dirt, dust, or clues left by demon beasts on the ground.
This is merely an amateur's presumptuous suggestion, but... I thought it might be useful to give it a function that allows it to shoot threads.
The 'Magic-Woven Cloth' developed by Thor Kanan-sama should be both tough and elastic. If it were made into threads and tangled around tree branches or similar objects, the main body might be able to move through the air.
That would increase its speed and make it easier to avoid demon beasts and the like.
Incidentally, the idea for the threads came from Agnis-sama.
Agnis-sama is very imaginative.
I was able to speak with her at length.
The maids objected to us sleeping in the same bed, so we slept in separate bedrooms. However, we spent a very enjoyable time together until we went to sleep.
The only unfortunate thing was that my nightclothes were too small for Agnis-sama.
We are about the same height, but they seemed tight around her chest.
I confess that I am envious.
If possible, I would also like to be like Agnis-sama──
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"──That's as far as it goes!"
Agnis quickly folded the parchment shut.
"F-from here on, it concerns the princess's personal information! I would like to keep it secret!"
"O-okay. Understood."
Incidentally, Agnis was the one who drew the design for the 'spider type.'
Princess Sofia had written the text. She had enthusiastically described their sleepover.
...They must have had a really good time.
"But... a 'spider type' that shoots threads."
I had considered making it a 'spider type' myself.
However, I had never thought of giving it a thread-shooting function.
The 'robot vacuum' was a golem. Making it spider-shaped was possible, but adding a function that allowed it to shoot threads would be difficult.
Yes. It would be difficult. How could I make it work...?
Oh dear. Agnis and Princess Sofia were giving me quite a problem.
They had come up with ideas that surpassed my expectations by this much.
Being presented with such a difficult proposal was a real problem. Honestly...
"Thor-sama, you look happy."
Before I knew it, Mabel was peering into my face.
"You have a wonderful smile on your face."
"Do I?"
"Yes."
At Mabel's words, Agnis and Erte-san nodded repeatedly.
"Princess Sofia said she had come up with something difficult..."
"Why do you look so excited, Alchemist-sama?"
...It was because I had unintentionally imagined what it would look like when completed.
It seemed difficult to make, but it would be great. A robot vacuum that could shoot threads and looked like a spider.
It seemed like it would be able to clean ceilings and pillars with ease, too.
As expected, getting ideas from other people was wonderful.
If I worked alone, I could not make anything that surpassed my own imagination.
As expected of Agnis and Princess Sofia. They had thought of something excellent.
"For now, let's make an ordinary 'spider type.' The thread-shooting type will probably take time, so that can be a project for the future."
I looked around at everyone and said this.
"Next, we will present the one Mabel and I came up with. Mabel, could you read it aloud?"
"Yes. What Thor-sama and I came up with is a 'snake type.'"
Mabel turned over the parchment on the table.
Drawn on it was the snake-shaped 'robot vacuum' I had designed.
──────────────────
'Robot Vacuum: Snake Type'
Written by: Mabel Lifreine
The concept of the 'snake-type robot vacuum' is an 'avoidance' golem.
Its slender shape makes it easy to avoid obstacles. It can also slip into gaps, so it will not overlook dirt or traces left by demon beasts. It can even hide from enemies.
I suggested a centipede type, but it would have too many legs and would be prone to breaking.
Therefore, we decided to use a legless 'snake type.'
Since it is specialized for detecting magical power, its cleaning function is optional.
A bag attached to its tail allows it to collect dust and dirt.
The snake's mouth can open wide, so it can swallow small animals and demon beasts and trap them in the bag.
If it is placed in the granaries of villages in the Demon Lord's territory, it can eliminate vermin and rats, protecting precious food supplies. It can also be used for taking care of your home.
For the villages and storehouses of the Demon Lord's territory, and for taking care of your home, please make use of the 'Robot Vacuum: Snake Type.'
──────────────────
"──That is all."
"...Amazing. Thor Kanan-sama and Mabel, both of you."
"...It is very much like you, Alchemist-sama, to casually recommend it for general use. I see... You intend to make it useful for purposes besides investigating demon beasts, as well."
Of course.
Since I was going to make it, I wanted ordinary people to use it, too.
If I placed several of them in the Demon Lord's Castle, they would reduce the work of cleaning. They could eliminate vermin and rats, too. If I made them the same color as the castle walls, they would not stand out.
Eventually, I wanted the 'robot vacuum' to become something whose presence there was taken for granted.
When I said this to Erte-san, they replied,
"...What do you think about snakes slithering around all over the room? Wouldn't that make people uneasy?"
"You're right. Household models should move quietly."
"........T-then I don't think there will be a problem."
Erte-san nodded.
"I understand that this 'Robot Vacuum: Snake Type' is excellent. Regardless of household use, it should be a powerful aid in investigating demon beasts."
"Agnis and Princess Sofia hadn't thought of making it snake-shaped, either!"
"Yes. I'm glad you like it."
This 'snake type' was a creation I was proud of, the result of a long discussion with Mabel.
As an aside, the idea of attaching a bag to its tail had come from Mabel.
Instead of putting dirt inside the main body, it would be placed in the bag on the tail. By replacing the bag, it could collect any amount of dirt or small demon beasts. It could also swallow traces left by demon beasts and preserve them.
It was a 'rattlesnake' style, with a mechanism attached to its tail.
"With this, His Majesty the Demon Lord and Uncle should be satisfied. We should receive permission to use it in the demon-beast investigation, too."
"Thank you, Erte-san."
"That reminds me, the ideas from His Majesty and Uncle still haven't arrived."
"That's true. We should be hearing from them soon, but..."
"Sorry to keep you waiting!!"
As we were talking, several Pixies flew in through the window.
"Returning like a flame!!"
"We came fluttering and zooming back. Please praise us!!"
The Pixies flew rapidly around the room.
When I held out my hand, they landed on it with soft flutters and said,
"Our work has been completed passionately!" "It feels all fluffy near Alchemist-sama!"
"Thank you. Good work."
I had the two Pixies sit on the table.
The red-haired, passionate Fire Pixie and the green-haired, soft-natured Wind Pixie pressed their cheeks against my fingers. They closed their eyes and looked content.
"So, did His Majesty the Demon Lord and the Chancellor say anything?"
"The Chancellor said that he would think of the idea for the 'robot vacuum' by himself!"
"His Majesty approved, too. Amazing!"
By himself, Kelv-san?
"...I see. As expected of the Chancellor."
Kelv-san was thinking about public safety and the stability of the people in the Demon Lord's territory.
And what I was about to make was a golem.
In other words, he had thought of a reassuring design so that the people who saw it would not be frightened.
"Thank you. And what about the Chancellor?"
"...Well, you see..."
"...We received permission from His Majesty the Demon Lord and tried to find him!"
The Pixies wore troubled expressions.
Had something happened?
"But then... we found the Chancellor asleep in the great hall."
"He was lying face-down in front of a pillar. Pieces of the pillar were scattered around him."
...What on earth had Kelv-san been doing?
"He was talking in his sleep. He said, 'I will come up with something wonderful,' 'I won't lose,' and 'If I give myself a physical stimulus, an idea might...!'"
"There were parchments scattered around him. With His Majesty the Demon Lord's permission, we brought them back!"
As they spoke, the Pixies took four sheets of parchment out of the 'Ultra-Compact Simple Storage' I had entrusted to them.
What was drawn on them was──huh?
"What is this... a circle?"
"It's a circle." "It's just a circle." "Uncle... what could this possibly mean?"
Three of the four sheets of parchment had large circles drawn on them.
It looked as though he had simply traced the illustration of the 'robot vacuum' from the 'Mail-Order Catalog' I had sent as a sample.
The last sheet had been crumpled into a ball. Even after I unfolded it, there was nothing on it.
What was this supposed to be?
"Perhaps Uncle... couldn't think of anything?"
"That... might be the case."
"Even the Chancellor has days when he is not at his best."
Erte-san, Mabel, and Agnis looked at the parchments and nodded.
"...No, that doesn't seem right."
Something was bothering me.
Kelv-san was someone who gave me hints for new ideas.
If he had written something, it had to mean something.
Perhaps... he was trying to test me again.
Three sheets of parchment.
Every drawing on them was a circle—a round shape.
The fourth sheet was a crumpled ball of parchment.
If this was a message from Chancellor Kelv-san, what could it mean──?
For example... what if the circles on the three sheets of parchment represented the object viewed from the front and back, left and right, and top and bottom?
What if he had crumpled the fourth sheet to make it clear that the drawings represented a three-dimensional object...?
A 'circle' and a 'round shape.'
A plane and a solid.
What that meant was──
"Is the Chancellor suggesting that I make a spherical 'robot vacuum'!?"
It had been a blind spot.
A sphere could roll anywhere.
It was far more efficient than adding legs and making it walk.
Fewer parts also meant fewer breakdowns.
If it were made of a soft material, it could bounce. It would be easy for it to climb over obstacles, too.
A sphere could deflect attacks, and it could rotate to disperse the impact.
If it rammed into an enemy at high speed, it should even be able to inflict damage.
Its small area of contact made it unsuitable for cleaning, but our purpose this time was to search for demon beasts.
As long as it could follow traces of a demon beast's magical power, skin, and other remnants, that was enough.
As Chancellor Kelv had suggested, there was no problem with making it spherical after all...
"Chancellor... did you think this far ahead for me...?"
Perhaps I had been too fixated on the shape of the 'robot vacuum' in the 'Mail-Order Catalog.'
The Chancellor had proposed an entirely new form: a sphere.
Amazing.
Could that man's ideas be even more wildly imaginative than mine?
"...Um, Alchemist-sama."
"What is it, Erte-san?"
"Could this not simply be a discarded draft...?"
"The Chancellor told His Majesty, 'Let me think of a design for the robot vacuum,' and then drew these, correct?"
"Y-yes."
"Do you think someone who had said that much would leave behind a discarded draft and then fall asleep?"
"...I-I suppose not."
Erte-san nodded.
"What do Mabel and Agnis think?"
"...Um. I believe there is no doubt that the Chancellor inspired Thor-sama..."
"The Chancellor is my father's colleague, so I would prefer not to comment!"
Huh?
Mabel and Agnis wore dubious expressions.
Well, never mind.
I could ask Lukie and Kelv-san about it later and find out.
"I'm really glad I came to the Demon Lord's territory."
There were people here who came up with ideas I could never have imagined, and they helped me grow.
Because I had come here, I had been able to meet Princess Sofia. She had given me new ideas as well.
I could gather ideas from everyone and create new things.
I found that incredibly enjoyable.
I would have to write Kelv-san a proper letter of thanks, too.
"As planned, let's make three types of 'robot vacuum.' Mabel and Agnis, please assist me. Erte-san, please check what we make."
"Yes, Thor-sama!"
"Understood!"
"Y-yes."
And so, I began making three 'robot vacuums.'
──Several hours later, at the Demon Lord's Castle──
"I am terribly sorry, Your Majesty!"
In the throne room, Chancellor Kelv was prostrating himself.
"Although I asked Your Majesty to let me think of a design for the 'robot vacuum'... I could not come up with anything... and then I fell asleep just like that. This is the greatest blunder of my life..."
"............"
"As Chancellor, I know that I must be ashamed of myself. Please give me a severe punishment!"
"No, well... Kelv."
"Reward and punishment are the foundations of a nation. We must not neglect them! Therefore──"
"Raise your head, Kelv. We cannot speak while you are like that. Now, sit down."
"...Yes."
Chancellor Kelv raised himself up and knelt on the floor.
Seeing this, Demon Lord Lukie spread out the parchment in her hand.
"Actually, I received a letter from Thor through the Pixies just now."
"Thor-dono must have been angry."
Kelv hung his head dejectedly.
"...I am prepared for it. I disappointed Thor-dono, after all. Please tell me what the letter says."
"U-um, yes. Listen carefully, then."
Lukie unfolded the parchment and began to read it aloud.
"'──Thank you very much, Chancellor.'"
"Ah, as I thought, Thor-dono is angry... Huh?"
Chancellor Kelv tilted his head.
Thinking he might have misheard, he looked up at Demon Lord Lukie and said,
"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty. Could you repeat that part?"
"'Thank you very much, Chancellor.'"
"........? ??"
"May I continue reading?"
"...Yes."
"'The Chancellor's idea was wonderful. He opened my eyes to a new possibility. With the spherical robot vacuum he proposed, I will certainly locate the lair of the new species of demon beast. Alchemist Thor Kanan offers his heartfelt thanks to the Chancellor.' That is what it says."
"............"
"I don't understand. What is going on?"
"I-I have no idea, either..."
Chancellor Kelv clutched his head.
Demon Lord Lukie folded her arms on the throne and said,
"Kelv. What were you doing yesterday?"
"After finishing my duties as Chancellor, I was thinking of ideas in the great hall while looking at the moon. Since I could not think of anything, I drew the shape of the full moon and crumpled the parchment... I even tried giving myself a few blows to the head, but still could not think of anything... and then I lost consciousness."
"Be moderate. Repairs are difficult."
"When I came to, the things I had written were gone."
"The Pixies came. I gave them permission to take the parchments."
"You mean the ones with nothing but circles on them?"
"Thor wrote that you had proposed a spherical robot vacuum."
"Now that you mention it, there was also a crumpled sheet of parchment."
"So that became the hint for the spherical 'robot vacuum'?"
"............"
"............"
There was a long silence.
"How incredible is that man!?"
"It seems I have still underestimated Thor's talent..."
Chancellor Kelv shouted, while Lukie held the parchment and sighed.
"He came up with a new 'robot vacuum' idea from your discarded drafts...? For Thor, everything becomes a hint for developing magic items..."
"...Your Majesty."
"Yes?"
"If everything becomes a hint for developing magic items, is there any way to stop him...?"
"No."
"...Ah. To think he created an incredible item from one of my discarded drafts... I was trying to think of something neither useful nor harmful so that he would make a merely decent item... and yet what I wrote became the hint for an incredible item..."
"Thor wishes to exchange letters with you."
"What!?"
"He says, 'The Chancellor always helps me notice new perspectives. When I am at the Demon Lord's Castle, I would like to receive advice on making items, and when I am in my workshop, I would like to exchange information with you by letter from time to time.'"
"W-wait... If I do that..."
"You will be giving Thor hints for developing magic items."
"...Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Chancellor Kelv pressed his forehead against the floor.
"If that happens... common sense itself will collapse. I have no idea how Thor-dono will interpret what I say! That man takes my words and actions in completely unexpected directions... and creates outrageously over-the-top magic items!"
"Indeed."
Demon Lord Lukie gazed into the distance.
Imagining Thor observing Kelv's work, she gave a wry smile.
Perhaps it was precisely because they were such opposites that Kelv's actions and way of thinking became hints for Thor's ideas──that was what she found herself thinking.
For the overly serious Kelv, however, this was an extremely troubling situation.
"The two of you can discuss and decide how to handle it. Thor has no ill intentions."
"I-I will tell him the truth about what happened this time!"
Chancellor Kelv shouted.
"I will tell him that I did not come up with any ideas, and that what was on the parchments was nothing but discarded drafts. Then Thor-dono will..."
"Do that after the demon-beast investigation is over."
Lukie spoke in her Demon Lord's authoritative tone.
"We are about to conduct a joint demon-beast investigation with the Empire. If it becomes known that the 'robot vacuum'—no, the golem—being used in the investigation was born from mere discarded drafts, some people may begin to doubt its capabilities. Tell Thor the truth after the investigation is over."
"Th-then, until that time..."
"We have no choice but to insist that Chancellor Kelv gave Alchemist Thor the greatest inspiration."
There would probably be a storm of praise.
In the Demon Lord's territory, there were Chancellor Kelv and Alchemist Thor.
It was hopeless.
Even though Kelv pressed his forehead against the floor and trembled, there was no correcting the misunderstanding. Not for now.
"You asked earlier to be given a severe punishment. For someone as responsible as you, this may have become a punishment in itself."
"...Ah."
"Would you like to serve as Thor's occasional adviser as well? That could also be his reward... No, wait, why are you crawling toward the pillar? What? You are afraid common sense will collapse...? A-all right! I won't say anything more. I will permit you to exchange letters with Thor from time to time! So calm down, Chancellor Kelv!!"
Thus, Thor's letter sent shock waves through the throne room──
In the workshop, development of the three 'robot vacuums (golems)' continued──
And after further exchanges with Sofia in 'Noza Town'──
The day finally came for the joint demon-beast investigation by the Demon Lord's territory and Princess Sofia's unit.